Doeden Spokesperson: Property Tax Elimination Plan Only for Homeowners

As the runoff election for the Republican nomination for governor in South Dakota enters its final week, a key clarification has emerged from the campaign of candidate Toby Doeden. Amid mounting criticism over the cost of his pledge to eliminate property taxes, Doeden's campaign spokesperson now says the plan has always applied only to owner-occupied homes, not to farms, ranches, or businesses.

The runoff, set for July 28, pits Doeden, the first-place finisher in the June 2 Republican primary, against second-place finisher Governor Larry Rhoden. Neither candidate reached the 35% threshold required to win outright, triggering the runoff.

What Did Doeden Actually Promise?

Doeden's campaign website has long stated he would eliminate property taxes so that families, farmers, ranchers, and small business owners could thrive. In a December interview with Rapid City's KOTA, he said he would completely eliminate property taxes, adding that farmers, ranchers, and small business owners are being crippled by them. A campaign postcard mailed earlier this year carried the heading eliminate property taxes without any limiting language.

But this week, amid criticism from Rhoden and business groups, Doeden's spokesperson Matt Hurley clarified that the plan has never applied to commercial or agricultural property. It only covers owner-occupied homes, which generate about $815 million in local tax revenue annually, not the $1.8 billion from all property classes.

Rhoden Campaign and Business Groups Push Back

Governor Rhoden's campaign has seized on the ambiguity, launching ads and a website called Reckless Toby Doeden. Rhoden argues that eliminating all property taxes would blow a $1.8 billion hole in the state budget, requiring massive cuts to counties, cities, and schools.

A coalition of South Dakota business groups, including the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry, also expressed concern. President Ryan Budmayr said the clarification reflects a lack of clarity in Doeden's plan and messaging, noting that hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake whether it's homeowners or all property taxpayers.

Lab-Grown Meat: A Battle Over Principles

Doeden's Dakota First Action PAC has also targeted Rhoden over lab-grown meat, sending text messages calling him Lab-Grown Larry for vetoing a permanent ban on cell-cultivated meat. Rhoden, a rancher, vetoed the bill but signed a five-year moratorium instead, arguing a permanent ban could invite legal challenges and harm South Dakota's agricultural exports.

Rhoden's spokesperson Ian Fury responded: As Governor Rhoden has said many times, you'll never catch him eating cell-cultured protein, but it's against our principles to ban something just because we don't like it.

Abortion: Misinformation or Facts?

Another Dakota First Action text claims the pro-abortion lobby is supporting Rhoden, citing a $4,000 contribution from the law office of Watertown attorney Nancy Turbak Berry, a Democratic former legislator who backed an unsuccessful 2024 abortion-rights ballot measure. Turbak Berry said she was not consulted and that the contribution came from her sons' firm. She also said she temporarily switched her party affiliation to Republican to vote for Rhoden, based on respect for him despite their policy disagreements.

South Dakota Right to Life issued a statement defending Rhoden: Larry Rhoden's decades-long record on LIFE is 100% pro-life. Don't let misinformation tell you otherwise.

Property Rights and the Carbon Pipeline

Doeden's campaign also sent texts warning that the carbon pipeline scam is back in South Dakota, claiming Rhoden hosted an event with Dan Lederman, a lobbyist for Summit Carbon Solutions. The pipeline project, which would transport carbon dioxide from ethanol plants for underground sequestration, sparked a property-rights revolt. Rhoden signed a law banning carbon dioxide pipelines from using eminent domain, effectively keeping Summit out of the state.

Lederman, who chairs the Union County Republican Party, said the event was a meet-and-greet and had nothing to do with the pipeline. Rhoden's campaign echoed that, calling the attack misleading.

What This Means for Iowa Voters

While this race is in South Dakota, the issues resonate deeply in Iowa. Property tax reform, agricultural policy, property rights, and the role of government in regulating emerging industries like lab-grown meat are all topics that affect Iowa's farmers, small business owners, and families. The clarity on Doeden's property tax plan is a reminder that campaign promises often need careful scrutiny, especially when they involve billions in local revenue.

As the runoff approaches, voters on both sides of the border will be watching closely.